A lot of this reflects that the safe zones as they now exist are very different from Turkey’s initial scheme, which was to set up “safe zones” no one was allowed to attack, and then use them as rebel bases, in addition to filling them up with refugees. Instead, the safe zones are now going to be between warring factions, intended to prevent ceasefire violations.

And since the US was never a big fan of the ceasefire, it follows that they aren’t a big fan of anything that supports the ceasefire either. And while the Trump Administration is uncomfortable flip-flopping on the safe zones entirely, they were keen to make the decision mostly an anti-Iran statement.

I take it the US crossed a red line. Turkey really doesn’t like America’s Kurdish allies. Trump, Hillary, and Saudi Arabia got their safe zones just like they didn’t want. I am sure the kicking and screaming will commence soon.

It’s been a long hard battle, but the U.S. trained and funded terrorists are about to be cleaned out of Syria and Iraq. Now Syria, Iran and Turkey need to move into Afghanistan, evict the terrorists and sign a peace treaty with the Taliban.